US1685839A

US1685839A - Torque-equalizing system

Info

Publication number: US1685839A
Application number: US78421A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bois Alexander Dawes Du
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-12-30
Filing date: 1925-12-30
Publication date: 1928-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1945-10-02

Description

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application led December 30, 1925. Serial No. 7&421.

ll/ly-invention relates to torque-equalizing means.

'las

The purposes of the invention are: to provide means wherebyI a motor drawing practically constant power from the power supply can deliver pulsating power, through a flywheel, to a. driven machine; to provide means whereby an engine generating pulsating power can deliver constant power to a driven machine; to provide means whereby practically constant torque can be maintained in a constant-speed motor while the motor is delivering pulsating torque to its driven load in conjunction with a flywheel; to rovide means whereby approximately uniform torque can be delivered to a flywheel, which is a part of the mechanism, while the flywheel delivers pulsating torque to a driven machine; to provide means whereby pulsating torque can be delivered to a flywheel, which is part of the mechanism, while the Hywheel delivers uniform torque to a driven machine; to provide means 4whereby practically constant speed can be maintained in a uniformly loaded machine driven by a pulsating-speed motor or engine having a flywheel;to provide {luid-actuated means whereby practically constant torque at any constant speed in a driver shaft can be transformed into pulsating torque and speed in a driven shaft c arrying a nywheel; to provide Huid-actuated means whereby pulsating torque' with pulsating speed, in a driver shaft carrying a flywheel, can be transformed into constant torque at constant speed in a driven shaft; to provide means entirely apart from flywheels, whereby angular space-phase displacement can occur between a driver shaft and Ia driven shaft, while the shafts are rotating', without alter-l ing the torque transmitted; to provide fluidactuated means whereby an alternating-current generator, operating in parallel with other alternating-current generators, can remain comparatively free from synchronizing currents, while its prime moveror driving member ducuates momentarily in speed.

Utility of 'method-The utility of the method lies in its ability to permit angular displacement of the driving member with relation to the driven member without altering the torque transmitted from one to the other; and also in its ability, when used in conjunctipn with a flywheel, to average the .torque transmitted, thereby making a uniform or constant torque equivalent to a nonuniform or pulsating torque.

Uscs.-l[ts uses include all applications Where it isV desired to transform pulsating power and Ipulsating speed into constant power and constant speed, and all applications where it .is desired to transform constant power and speed into pulsating power and pulsating speed.

ll accomplish these purposes by means hereinafter described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings to which reference is hereby made, and in which :f-

Figure 1 is an elevation of a typical equipment embodying my invention and shows electrically-operated means controlling the pressure of fluid in the system. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 2 2- of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an oblique section in the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.v Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section through the three-way valve, taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an elevation showing a modified chambered-structure in co-operative relation to al flywheel' mounted on a shaft which drives a pulsating load. Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 9 9, offFig.l 8. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of another modified form of chamberedstructure. Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.. Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 12-l2 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is an elevation of an equipment of modified construction, in which the chambered-structure is ,integral with a flywheel. taken on the line 1414 of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an oblique section through the chambered flywheel taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14; and Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an application-of the invention to the parallel operation of alternators.

Similar reference letters and numerals designate similar parts in the several views.

Briefly stated, my invention comprises the application of constant pressure, by means of fluid, to maintain constant torque throughout each cycle of speed pulsations.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section r posing walls, tending to separate them. One.

as often as need be,

`describe afterwards, vl1f ied constructions illustrated in the other I introduce a fluid driving-linkbetween the driver and the driven machine. The fluid driving-link consists of confined fluid, maintained; for the requisite periods of time, at suitable approximately constant pressure, but permitted to flow into and out of suitable torque transmitting chambered structure having movable walls. The movable walls' are of constant area so that a given fluid pressure within each chamber'exerts a constant force upon the two opof the movable walls of each chamber transmits this force to the driver sha-ft, the other to the driven shaft. I.

The word fluid, as used herein, is understood to mean either va liquid, such as water or oil, a gas or mixture of gases such as air, or a combination of liquid and gas in the same system. The pressure, in .the torque .transmitting chamber, remains unaffected by the pulsations ,of speed of one shaft with respect to the other, and in that .sense has been referred to as consta-nt; but provision is made for adjusting the pressure to meeti the requirements of the average torque to be transmitted.

The fluid may be maintained. at the desired pressure by any known means, such as by free communication with a receiver, pressure tank, or stand-pipe. Any known means may be employed to confine the fluid and conduct it to the fluid chambers of the chambered structure, and any known means may be' used to transmit the torque of the driver member and the counter torque of the driven member to the respective movable walls of the chambered structure. Such details may be varied without departure from my invention.

en used in conjunction with a flywheel, the torque transmitting chambers may be situated at any suitable point in the system of torque transmission; and any means of transmitting torque, including such means as the magnetic flux in the` air gap of an electric motor, may be inserted between the chambered structure and' the flywheel, without departing from the invention.

In order to illustrate a complete system embodying the principles stated above, I show atypical equipment in Fig. 1 and will describe first this typical embodlment of the invention, referring to the forms of elements shownv in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive; and will in succession, the modviews.

The forms of elements, and the combination of those elements, obviously may be varied to meet different conditions of use, and still keep within the scope of my claims. For example,- a chambered structure similar @that shown in Fig. 9, or that shown in Fig. 11, may be suited to low speed, great chambers of a torque, or small angular displacement; while a chambered structure similar to Fig. 2 may be better suited to high speed, moderate torque, or great angular displacement.

It is to be noted that all the constructions include means for fluid control of the torque of the co-acting mechanisms.

yfit, so that the shaft B can turn through an angular displacement with relation to shaft A. The shafts A and B rotate in suitable bearings F, F.

The chambers D, D, are filled with fluid, under suitable pressure transmitted through the pipe P and the

openings

4 and 3 in the shaft B (Fig. 3) from any source of fluid under suitable pressure.

The openings 5 (Fig. 2) lead to the outside; they serve to drain the leakage out of chambers E, E and to prevent appreciable compression of air in E, E, when these chambers are contracted during the normal operation of the chambered structure. Obviously any suitable means for preventing leakage through joints or moving contact surfaces in the chambered structure, and elsewhere in the system, may be employed. To illustrate the functions of the parts, assume that shaft A is a driven shaft, carrying a flywheel Z and rotat`n with pulsating speed. Assume that shaft is the driver shaft, rotating at constant speed. Under these conditions the direction of rotation is considered to be as indicated by the arrow 33 in Fig. 2. Since the flywheel and its shaft A are alternately .retarding and accelerating, while the driver shaft B is rotating at constant speed, it is evident that the two shafts oscillate with respect to each other, and the ternately advance and retreat, drical casing, with reference to

partitions

2, 2. ence the volume of cach fluid chamber D must decrease or increase as the flywheel lags or leads with reference to the driver shaft B. When the

opposing walls

1 and 2 of chamber D are approaching each other, the volume of the chamber is diminished and a. portion of the fluid flows out through the ports 3 and the pipe P. en the opposing walls are receding from each other, the volume of the chamber is increased and fluid flows into t-he chamber through the ports 3. The fluid is maintained at constant fluid pressure from the in the cylinthe walls or wall or vanes 1, l, must alill) Illll aeaaeae sure' per unit of area. Therefore the counter-torque imposed upon the driver shaft is constant, Whether the flywheel is acceler- ,atingfor retarding. 'llhis statement assumes that the area of the passages 3, l, etc., is`

greatenough to avoid excessive velocity of fluid and consequent appreciable loss of h ead by friction. llt also assumes that the inertia of the fluid set in motion is comparatively negligible. Slight variations of pressure from these causes will be unimportant in practice.

'llhe fluid pressure will be adjusted to the proper value to transmit the' average torque driving link must of course be adjusted, by

required.

lf the counter-torque of the load becomes too great, orif the pressure-adjusting de- 'vice should get out of order, the wall or vane 1 may close up against the wall or'partition 2, and drive by contact of one with the other; but in 'doing so, the ports 3 will be gradually closed by passing under the bearin surface of the partitions 2,- thus throt'tling the outHow of fluid and ed'ectually cushioning the impact between 1 and 2.

lf the pressure in the chambers D becomes too great to balance the counter-torque of the load, and if this condition is not corrected before the walls or vanes 1 reach the limit of travel in the opposite direction, they will throttle the outflow ofl air through the openings 5 by gradually covering these openings, thus forming an air cushion to effectually prevent objectionable impact between the back surfaces of 1 and 2. @bvi-V ously, other suitable cushions may be used to relieve the impact. 1

Since the torque transmitted from the ldriver shaft to the flywheel, by the means described, is practically constant at all times, it is evident v`that the dywheel will retard when the counter-torque or load upon it (from the driven machine) exceeds the torque transmitted to it from the driver shaft ;'and the flywheel will accelerate when y'the counter-torque of the driven machine is less than the constant torque transmitted from the driver shaft. 'lhe constant torque delivered to the flywheel through the Huid proper adjustment of the fluid pressure, to

" be equal to the average torque required to drive Athe pulsating load of the driven machine. During .brief intervals when the load.

requirements of the driven machine are less than this, the excess energy is stored in the The fluid cannot exert either a` Ithat shaft A could, equally well, bethe. driver and shaft B the driven.

Illhe system shown in llig. 1 is arranged to utilize one or more fluids, namely, an incompressible fluid such as Water or oil, undera controlled head sufficient for the purpose; or an incompressible fluid co-acting with a compressible fluid such as gas or air;,or a single compressible fluid.

Pressure /mefma-Any'suitable source of adjustable fluid pressure may be used to keep the fluid in the chambered structure at the desired pressure.

Une'such source, using a liquid only, is an eXtensible standpipe Il diagramatically shown in Fig. 1, in which, U is an open tank,

or enlargement of the standpipe, vertically adjustable with reference to the pipe l). 'llhe gravity head of the liquid in the system is varied by raising or lowering the tank O by any suitable means. When this source is in use the valve 7 is open and the valve 8 is closed. l

Another such source is a closed, pneumatic-pressure tank R, such as shown in Fig. 1. When this source is in use, valve 8 is open and the valve 7 is closed. lf liquid is used inthe torque transmitting chambers of the chambered structure, the connecting pipe P and the lower portion of the tank Above the liquid in tank R, is compressed air at suitable pressure, which may be adjusted by any 'known means. For example; to increase theo pressure in the torque-equalizing system, more air may be forced into tank R, from any'suitable source of greater air pres-l sure, under the control of valve 6; or more liquid may be admitted, from a source of greater hydraulic pressure, thus further compressing the air already above the liquid lt may be occupied by the liquid. t

in the tank. To decrease the pressure, a-

liquid will be changed only a relatively small amount, and its pressure will therefore remain practically constant during 'the inflow and outflow (through lP) of the liquid used in the torque transn'iitting chambers.

lt is obvious that the liquid could be omitted from the closed tank system, and compressed air or gas could be substituted. The

torque equalizer will operate with compresse air or other gas as well as with water: or oil or other liquid. Compressed air would be more difficult to confine Without objectionable leakage, but it'has an advantage over liquid, in that its inertia and friction are less.

The adjustment of the fluid pressure may be automatic, by any suitable means; for instance an electrically actuated valve V arranged to increase the -fluidv pressure when the driver shaft advances ahead of a certain pre-determined angular position with L. relation tothe driven shaft, and to reduce the pressure whenever-the driver shaft lags more than a certain pre-determined angle.

igs. 1, 5, 6 and 7 show details of an electrical control through the agency of a three- Way valve V arranged toy augment or idecrease the pressure in a pneumatic and hydraulic system.4 The pipe P connects the chambered structure of the torque equalizer with a pressure tank R. A pipe G conducts fluid from any source X of suliiciently high head Yor pressure through valve V and pipe Q, into the tank R. A Waste pipe lV gives outlet to atmosphere. The three-way valve is arranged to beturned by any suitable electricall operating device such as electromagnets S. y When the valve V is in its normal or central position it is closed to Q, and to G. When the valve is turned, say to the right, it admits more fluid vinto R from the highpressure pipe G, thus further compressing the air in R and thereby increasing the pressure in P and D. When the valve is turned to the left it connects the tank R with the waste pipe W and allows fluid to escape from R, thus reducing the pressure. f

The valveI V is operated by an arm 18.

'(Figs. 6 and 7) connected with the valve plug 19, which is normally held in central or closed position'by any suitable form of spring, or by a gravitating Weight 21.

The arm 18 is connected to a double-ended magnet plunger 17, actuated by the respective magnet coils S to .shift the arm to the right, or tofthe left, as the case may be.

Electrical actuating means chosen for ild lustration in Figs. l, 5, 6 and 7 consist of a contact brush L contact segments ture rings a, b, c, mounted on shaft-A and electrically connected with the segments K; slipring brushes a', b', e', mounted on a stationary support a and bearing upon.the sliprings; and a suitable source of electromotive force T, electrically connected with the slipring brushes a', b', c', and With the magnet coils S, S, as shown. l

vWhenever the angular deflection of` the mounted .on the shaft B; K, mounted on the strucat the bottom of the'tank.

" departing from C, which is carried by the shaft A; slip tric motors.

jthrough slip-rings Z; and w to energize the right-hand magnet coil S (Fig. 7). When the angular deflection of shaft A is such as to bring the right-hand segments K into contact with the brush L, an electric circuit is closed from source T, through slip rings b and c, energize the left-hand magnet coll S.

Th valve V as above liquid, or a gas. air is used, the pipe G may lead from an existing compressed air system and the inlet 6 into tank R may be at the top, rather than In that case the amount of liquid in the system (if any) will not be changed by the ingress or egress of compressed air.

Although any suitable means may be employed for maintaining and for adjusting the fluid pressure. it is desirable that the pi e or passage-Way P shall be short and so (fesigned as to avoid high velocity of fluid, in order that the friction and inertia effects of the fluid may be comparatively small. The typical methods described above show that any one of numerous different methods could be applied and keep within the scope of my described, may be either a n invention.

A mo'dz'ed form and location of chambered structure.

As'previously stated, lany torque-transmitting means may be inserted between the chambered structure and the flywheel (in the case of a motor) or between the chambered structure and the driving shaft (in the case of anelectric generator) Without my invention.

`The chambered structure previously describedy was so situated in the mechanical torque transmitting system as to rotate with the driver and the driven shafts, but it is not always necessary that it be so situated. For example, an electric or other motor 15 may be arranged, asin Figs. 8 and 9, in such a manner that the chambered structure is attached to the stationary frame orfounation. To explain thel functioning of the torqueequalizing means with this arrangement of parts, it Will be useful to recall a well known principle of electric motors, namely; that any change in the counter-torque imposed by the driven load causes, during the time interval of the change, a change of speed of the rotor. This is true of synchronous motors as well as of other types of elec- While the torque is increasing, the rotor of the motor is retarding; While the torque is decreasing the rotor is accelerating. If this action is pulsating in na- If a gaseous fluid such as` e fluid, controlled by the automatic neeaeae ture, as it must bc with an effective Hywheel, it causes pulsating power to be drawn from the supply line. The pulsations of power are due to changes of relative speed of the rotor with respect to the stator. lhis rela'- tive speed can be maintained constant if the stator is permitted to oscillate under proper :ontrol of the chambered structure.

Referring to Figs. S and 9 let the stator 15 of the motor be mounted on bearings'20, so that it is free to turn about the axis 12 of thc rotor 14; but let it be restrained from turning by the action of the fluid in the torque-equalizing chamber D of the cylinder 16. liet the flywheel andthe rotor of the motor be mounted on the shaft 12 which drives the pulsating load. '1n practice the flywheel and the rotor may be one structure if desired.

ln operation the rotor periodically accelerates and retards while the flywheel stores and restores energy due to the pulsating nature of the counter-torque of the driven machine. ihen the rotor retards, ittends to increase its tangential reaction upon the stator, (through the pull of the fmagnetic flux in the air gap) but any 'increase of this` reaction turns the stator backward, forcing fluid out of the torque-equalizig chamber D, until the retardation of the rotor ceases. The pipe P is vthe equivalent of pipe lf- (llig. 1) which conveys fluid under pressure from the tank R. The action of the fluid under pressure in the pipe P is exactly the same as the action of the fluid under pressure in the pipe P; and the cylinders 16 are chambered structures in the same sense that the element C (Fig. 1) is a chambered structure supplied with fluid under ressure from the source R of fluid supply. lli/'hen the rotor accelerates, the stator is turned forward again by the constant pressure of the fluid in the chambered structure or cylinder 16. rllhe stator is turning backward while the rotor is retarding, and the stator. is turning forward while the rotor is accelerating, the

amount of this turning being dependent u on the amount of change of speed of tie rotor. ln this manner the driving torque transmitted from stator to rotor remains constant or uniform, and the speed of the rotor with respect to the stator remains uniform, while the actual speed of the rotor, with respect to the Y,earth and the driven ma chine, pulsates and permits the flywheel to function effectively.

As the action continues, the sta-tor oscillates, while the rotor varies in speed; and the power drawn from the electric supply line remains practically constant, while the power delivered by the Hywheel to the driven machine pulsates.

The pressure of the fluid, in this arrangement, as in the others, must be adJusted to meet the average torque requirements of the cycle of pulsating torque.

rllhe stator of the motor h as of necessity a considerable moment of inertia, .but in practice this may be made small in comparison to that of the flywheel, so thatit will only modify and will not annul the desired effect. vFurthermore adjustable springs 11 may be used to absorb the energy of the 1 moving stator and restore that energy in reversing the motion of the stator mass. lt is well known to those skilled in mechanics that an oscillating mass and a spring may be so combined as to produce mechanical resonance.

The oscillating mass gives up its kinetic energy to the spring at each oscillation and the spring returns the energy to the mass,

to accelerate it, after it has brought the mass to rest. Such a combination has a natural time period of oscillation depending upon the stiffness of the spring in relation to theinertia of the mass. In the system above described it is possible to choose springs of such stidness and range of action as will cause the natural period of the oscillating stator to be practically equal to the period of impressed. speed pulsations of the rotor, thereby practically eliminating or reducing to negligible proportions, the inertia effects of the stator.

A second modified ol' chambered starac-- iure..

shaft 26; a flywheel 28 fixed on the shaft 26;

a uniform speed shaft 25, co-axial with the shaft 26; a disc 27 fixed on the shaft 25; cylinders 29 pivotally connected with the disc 27 plunger rods, or piston rods 30, pivotally connected with the flywheel 28; and plungers or pistons 31 carried by the plunger rods or piston rods and sliding in the respective cylinders 29.

lua

lll

ln this instance fluid chambers D of va-l riable volume, are formed by the cylinders'4 29 and the plungers or pistons 31. The two movable walls of constant area consists 'of the piston and the opposite cylinder end.

Passages for connecting the chambers D" with the pressure tank or standpipe may be of any suitable form of construction, such as indicated at 32 inltlig. 12 and at d in Fig. 3.

'lfhe operation of this embodiment of the torque-equalizing means will be obvious from descriptions previously given. The chambered structure permits an angular displacement of the shaft 26 about its axis, with reference to the shaft 25, the extent of the displacement depending upon the location of the cylinders 29 and the livered from the motor length of stroke of their pistons or plungers.

Applicatie/rw.

Pulsating speed is very objectionable in many kinds of apparatus, and numerous applications of the invention will therefore be apparent to persons skilled in themechamc arts. lThe following examples are selected merely as an aid to full comprehension of the invention. Examples 1 anl 2 are chosen to llustratevit-s use in connection with Hywheels. In order vto store energy a flywheel must be accelerated, and in order to give back this energy it must be retarded. Therefore a flywheel, to be effective, must operate with non-uniform or pulsating speed. kThe invention is applicable wherever a Hywheel is employed.

Example 3 is chosen to illustrate an application apart from Hywheels.

Example L Referring to Fig. 1, let the device M be an electric motor; let the device N be na driven machine' having inherently pulsating power characteristics, such as a gas compressor, a forming press, or a rolhng mill. (This is the case previously assumed in describing the functions of parts in the typical embodiment of the invention.

The machine. NI and its flywheel Z operate with pulsating speed. The motor M operates at constant or unvarying speed. The torque delivered from the Hywheel to the machine N is pulsating, but the torque deto the flywheel is uniform and the motor draws uniform power `of the cham from its power line.

` At each compression stroke of the driven machine, its increased counter-torque retards the Hywheel, taking the necessary excess of energy from it. But theslowin down of the flywheel cannot retard the motor because the constant pressure in the torque transmitting chambers does not increase. The chamber-ends 1 and 2 -approach each other and a ortion of the Huid is forced out ers D.

During the return stroke of the driven machine or interval when its counter-torque is slight, the torque transmitted by the torque transmitting chambers exceels the torque4 required by the driven machine and the difference is available to accelerate the H wheel.y The Huid Hows into chambers again, pushing the flywheel shaft ahead. At each stroke of the driven machine this cycle of actions is repeated.

The same example might refer to Fig. 8, assuming 15 to be the electric motor, and N the driven vmachine having a flywheel Z.

- It vmight also refer to Fig. 13, assuming M to bean electric motor driving a machine N having a chambered flywheel C.

Example .Q Referring again to Fi 1 let M be an electric generator. Let N'e a -hunting gas engine, having a flywheel Z and driving the generator through the torque-equalizer C. The engine delivers pulsating torque to its flywheel which must therefore rotate with pulsating speed, but the generator rotates at constant speed and maintains uniform or constant voltage at its terminals.

)Vlien the flywheel of the engine is accelerated, by an explosion in the cylinder, it does not accelerate the generator because the constant pressure in thetorque transmitting chambers does not increase and therefore cannot transmit any increased torque to its driven shaft. The chamber-ends 1 anl 2, (Fig. 2) approach each other and a portion of the Huid is forced out of the chambers D, but as `the flywheel retards, the Huid flows into chambers D again, maintaining constant torque and pushing the driven generator) shaft ahead, ,at constant speed. At each explosion in the cylinder this cycle of actions is repeated.

This examplemight equally well referto Figs. 8 and 9, assuming the gas engine to he represented by N having a fly-wheel Z, and driving an electric generator 15 equipped with a ehambered structure 16.

` It might also refer to Figs. 13, 14 and 15, by assuming N to be a gas engine having a chambered flywheel C and driving an electric generator M. l

Example {t-Referring to Fig. 16, let M be an alterating current generator, operating in parallel, and therefore in synchronisn'l, with other alternators p1, m, m, on an elec- 11" tric power system J. Let N be a steam lurbine or other prime mover, of-any kind, driving the generator through the torqueequalizer C. Let the prime mover N have a governor differing somewhat in eharacter- 1115 g istiees from the other governors on the system, so that there is a tendency to'the phenomenon known as a hunting governor; or let there Abe a. tendency in the prime mover to Vary its. speed periodically in each revo- 11" lution (as in the case of a reciprocating steam engine). Under such conditions, if the torque-equalizer were not used, synchronizing currents would How between the alternator M and the other alternators m, m, 11" m, in parallel with it, to keep the alternator in synchronism with the other alternators. Such currents may be very severe and objectionable, aggravating the phenomenon of and causing serious dilliculties. 1"!" When the torque-equalizerl C. is in service it permits the alternator M to remain in exact synehronism with the electrical system to which it is connected; the torque in its shaft A remains uniform, (assuming the 1'1"' load on the alternator and the frequency of the system to be uniform for the time being), l while the speed of the prime-mover shaft B Huctuates as required by the characteristics of the prime mover or its governor. By la.,

this means the synchronizing currents in M are obviated. rllhe alternator can have no tendency to operate as a motor because-a uniform 'forward torque is imposed upon its shaft at all times through the action ot the fluid in vthe chambered struct-ure of the torque-equalizer. ln short, .the alternator follows the frequency of the system into which it -is'feeding, while the prime mover is permitted to follow its own peculiar speed characteristics without altering the so-called phase-shift of the alternator.

Having yfully described my invention what ll claim as new and desire lto ,secure by Letters Patent is:

l. lln the practice of power transmission,

constant pressure in the fluid, and providing for pulsations of angular velocity by the displaceable character of the fluid.

2. 'llhe improvement in the art of power transmission whereby variations of angular velocity of a rotating element can occur without change of its active or reactive torque; consisting in transmitting the force element of the power through a body of fluid, under pressure from an external source, in chainbers suitable to utilize the mobility of said Huid, by displacing portions thereof, without altering the fluid pressure.

3. 'lhe art of equalizing the flow of energy through a rotating mass having an e'ective moment of inertia, so that the rotating mass can deliver energy at a uniform rate while receivingv energy at a nonuniform rate, and can deliver energy at a non-uniform rate while receiving `energy at a uniform rate; said art consisting in transmitting the force element of said energy through the particles ot a displaceably disposedfluid, under controlled Huid pressure, in chambers of variableV volume; thereby providing for pulsations of angular velocity of said rotating mass by reason of the displaceable character of the Huid, while providing constant torque through constant pressure in the fluid.

- d. 'llhe method: of eecting torque equalization through the operation of that elemental action Yof the molecules of Huids whereby constant pressure per unit of area can be maintained upon the walls of' a container while the volume of the container is being varied; said method consisting in applying the pressure of a fluid, in chambers of variable volume, having communication with an external source of fluid pressure of suitable value, to'balance the torque of a rotating element and to keep said torque constant during variationsof angular, velocity of the rotating element. f

5. Means for `.preserving approximately reeaeae constant torque between two members which oscillate with respect to eachother, com prising: a chamber, of variable capacity; a fluid restrained by the walls of said chamber; and means for maintaining said fluid at approximately constant pressure in said chamber; substantially as described.

6. Means fory permitting variations of angular velocity of alrotating element while maintaining constant its active or reactive torque; comprising: a source of constant but adjustable fluid pressure; a structure having one or more chambers of variable volume in communication with said source of constant fluid pressure; opposing walls of said. chambers movable i-n relation to each other and adapted to transmit force, to'balance the turning moment of said roytating element; and fluid contained in said chambers, adapted to flow in and out ,of the chambers while under constant pressure from said source. Y

7. lln combination with a first rotative element having anappre'ciable moment of inertia, and a second element free to turn through an angular displacement-in relation to said first element;l torque transmitting means comprising a source of controlled fluid pressure and a structure having chambers with movable walls and variable volumetric capacity, in' communication with said source of controlled fluid pressure.

8. lln combination with a rotative element having an effective moment of inertia, means for equalizing the flow of' energy in such manner that the rotative element can deliver a uniform output of energy while receiving a non-uniform input, and can deliver a non-uniformioutput while receiving a uniform input; said means comprising: a source of constant but adjustable fluid pressure; a chambered structure having one or more chambers of variable volume in communication with said source of constant Huid pressure; opposing walls of said chambers movable in relation to each other and adapted to transmit force tobalance the avera e torque of the rotative element; and {flui in said chambers adapted to How in and out of the chambers while under con stant ressure fromlsaid source.

9. orque equalizing means comprising asource of fluid supply; a driverelement; a driven element; a Hywheel secured to one ot said elements; a chambered structure interacting withthe driver and the driven elements; coacting movable walls in the chambered structure; and means for supplying fluid from the source of duid supply to maintain practically constant pressure in the chambers of the'clambered structure.

10. rllorque equalizing means comprisingla driver element and a driven element, one rotating at constant speed and the other rotating at pulsating speed; a dywheel carried chambered so A' esI by the pulsating-speed element; a chambered structure interacting'with the driver and the drivenv elements; and fluid under controlled pressure in the chambered structure acting as a medium of transfer of torque from the,

driver element tothe driven element. Y

V11. Torque equalizing means comprising a driver element operating at constant speed; a, driven element operating at pulsating speed; a flywheel carried by the driven element; a chambered structure interacting with the driver and driven elements; coacting walls in the chambered structure; and means for supplying fluid at constant pressure in the chambers of the cha-mbered structure.

12. A torque equalizer comprising a driving shaft; a driven shaft; a flywheel on the driven shaft in conjunction with a structure a'ving chambers to receive fluid; means-for supplying fluid at constant pressilre in'the chambers ofsaid structure and acting on movable walls therein, to cause the flywheel to accelerate when the loadis less than its constant torque transmitted and permitting it to retard when the load is greater than the constant torque transmitted. 13. Torque equalizing means comprising a source of liquid under head; a constant speed driver element; a pulsating driven element; a chambered structure having two pairs of vanes oscillative relative to as common axis and coacting with the inner walls of the chambered structure, one pair of vanes moving at constant speed, and the other pair moving at variable speed; and liquid under head from said source of supply and applying constant fluid pressure; within said chambered structure.`

v14. In an equipment of the class described, the combination of a driver element; a driven element; a chambered structure in operative relation to said driver and driven elements; a stand-pipe with an enlarged upper portion containing liquid and adjustable to different heights to vary the head of the liquid; and means of communication between the stand-pipe and the chambers of the chambered structure whereby the pressure 'of thevliquid in said stand-pipe is transmitted to said chambers.

15. In an equipment of the class described, the combination of a closed tank adapted to contain liquidi.I under Icompressed air;

. means for introducing compressed air into the. tank above the liquid contained therein; a motor; a driven machine; a chambered .structure having chambers with relatively movable opposing walls adapted to transmit driving force tothe driven machine through the substance of a liquid contained in said chambers; and means of communication between said chambers and said closedY tank whereby the liquid can flow in and out of the chambers while vunder approximately tion with said vanes tank, the 4source of fluid constant pressure from said compressed air.

16. In an equipment of the class described, the combination of a closed tank adapted to contain liquid under compressed air; means for introducing compressed air into the tank above the liquid contained therein; a motor and a driven machine; a chambered struc- ,ture in operative relation to the tank, the

a. driving shaft and a driven 'shaft in operative relation to said chambered structure; ducts 1n one of said shafts affording communication between said container and the chambers of said chambered structure; fluid in said ducts and said 'chambers of the pressure transmitted rom said container; ports terminating said ducts, in the chambered structure, in such operative relathat said ports will be closed byone set of vanes when the vanes approach their limitV of movement in one direction, thus shutting ofi' communication between said chambers and said container; and openings to atmosphere through the walls of said chambered structure adapted to be closed bythe passage of the other set of vanes, vto form an air cushion, when the vanes approach their limit of movement in the opposite direction.

18. Electrically controlled torque-equalizing means comprising: a driving element, a driven element, a chambered structure having chambers of variable volume coacting with said driving and driven elements; a pressure tank containing fluid under pressure; fluid-conducting means affording communication between the pressure tank and the chambered structure; a source of fluid supply at suitable pressure greater than the pressure in the pressure tank; a three-way valve in communication .with the pressure supply and a discharge outlet to atmosphere; electro-inagnets mechanically connected to operate the three-way valve; automatic means for closing said valve after each operation; an electrical limit-switch in operative relation with the chambered structure; magnet coils suitable to energize the electro-magnets; and a source of electromotive force electrically connected with the magnet coils through the limit-switch; all coacting in such manner that when the limit-switch is open, the valve is in its normal closed. osition and the ressure in the tank and c ambers of vthe c ambered structure remains approximately constant; when the limit-switch makes contact partaking Leeaeaa in one direction, corresponding with` minimuni vollurne ot the chambers, the rah/e is turned to admit additional duid into the tank to increase the duid pressure in the tank and in the chainhers ot the charnhered structure; and when the llimit-switch makes contact in the opposite direction, correspondingwith maairnnni vohnme et chambers, the

rah/e is turned to discharge fluid from the tank to atmosphere thus reducing the pressure in the tank and in the chambers of the charnhered structure.

itt Witness whereof have signed my name lto this specification/,at Minneapolis, Minneseta, this 19th day of December, 1925.

ALEXANDER DAW/VDS DD BUIS.